Chapter 60: Shuangnian Township Prisoner of War Camp
The next day.
The independent battalion continued training as usual.
In the evening, Ding Wei called Yang Lin back, saying that the Japanese seemed to have built a secret prisoner-of-war camp in Shuangnian Township.
In addition, Ding Wei also told Yang Lin that the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment was attacked by a small group of elite Japanese troops in Yangcun yesterday, causing heavy losses.
He reminded Yang Lin to be extra careful, because Yang Lin was now a thorn in the eyes of the Japs and was very likely to be targeted by this elite Japanese army.
"Shuangnian Township!"
Yang Lin muttered to himself as he looked at the telegram in his hand, then turned his head to look at Ma Gan who had just returned, and ordered: "First Company Commander, you will immediately lead the team to disguise and go to Shuangnian Township to conduct reconnaissance to see if the Japanese have built a prisoner-of-war camp there."
"yes!"
Ma Gan agreed loudly and was about to turn around and leave when Yang Lin stopped him again: "Wait a minute, the intelligence of the Eighth Route Army is generally correct. Time is urgent, so there is no need to go for reconnaissance. Go and gather the brothers in the first company immediately and tell them that there is an urgent mission!"
"yes!"
Ma Gan agreed again. He never had any doubts about Yang Lin's orders, and he would not even ask too many questions. He would just obey unconditionally.
The third company commander Zhou Yun beside him said in confusion: "Battalion Commander, there is something I don't understand."
Yang Lin said: "You say."
"Why are you so obsessed with the prisoner-of-war camps in northwest Shanxi? Is it to rescue the prisoners and expand the strength of our independent camp?"
"good."
Of course Yang Lin would not tell Zhou Yun that he was doing this for Wei Dayong and Monk Wei. He nodded and said, "The situation in northwest Shanxi is likely to change, and I don't have much time to train new soldiers.
Compared with ordinary people, these prisoners of war were soldiers before. Regardless of how high their military qualities were, they at least understood some basic military and shooting knowledge.
They can be recruited and put into battle directly without much training."
Zhou Yun added: "However, Shuangnian Township is nearly 60 kilometers away from here, and it is already in the hinterland of the Japanese-controlled area. There are many checkpoints set up by the devils on the road.
Wouldn't it be too risky for us to advance alone?"
Yang Lin smiled and said, "It is precisely because Shuangnian Township is in the heart of the Japanese-controlled area that the Japanese would not think of launching a sneak attack on us.
Invisibly, our chances of success are higher than attacking nearby targets."
"Of course, there is definitely some risk involved, but don't forget that risk and reward are often directly proportional."
"What's more, those comrades who were captured by the Japanese devils were captured by the devils for protecting our homeland.
They are heroes, and every day they stay in the POW camp would put them in greater danger.
Because we have to rescue them as soon as possible."
"The battalion commander is righteous, I admire him!"
Zhou Yun said nothing more.
Then, Yang Lin looked at Zhao Yuting and asked, "Captain Zhao, how is the training of your artillery company going ?"
Zhao Yuting said: "The brothers have been training very hard, and some of them are very talented. They have learned how to operate artillery to attack targets and have a certain hit rate."
Yang Lin nodded and said, "Very good. In that case, you should immediately select a platoon of soldiers, bring a few small steel cannons and grenade launchers to join us in this operation!"
"yes!"
Zhao Yuting readily agreed and turned and left.
Soon, dozens of soldiers from the first company and the artillery company were fully armed and gathered on the parade ground of the independent battalion.
These dozens of artillerymen were drawn from the entire company and temporarily reorganized into a platoon.
Yang Lin gave a brief mobilization and then led them to Shuangnian Township overnight.
Along the way, they traveled under the stars, deliberately avoided the checkpoints set up by the Japanese army along the way, and took the deserted paths.
In this way, although it took a lot of extra time, they arrived at Shuangnian Township without anyone noticing.
Yang Lin led his troops into a dense forest in the southern mountainous area. He ordered everyone to set up camp again for a short rest, and only led a small number of soldiers to go out for reconnaissance in disguise.
…
noon.
After Zhao Yuting finished his meal, he was on guard patrol around the dense forest. When he saw Yang Lin returning with several scouts, he immediately rushed over excitedly.
"Captain, how is it going? Have you found the Japanese prisoner-of-war camp?"
Yang Lin said: "Not yet."
Zhao Yuting saw a trace of disappointment on Yang Lin's face and consoled him, "Captain, you only scouted the eastern part of the town. Maybe the Japanese prisoner-of-war camp is built in the west of the town."
"Um."
Yang Lin nodded: "That should be the case. The situation of the Eighth Route Army is unlikely to go wrong."
"Let's go back first."
"yes!"
Not long after, Ma Gan also led his troops back.
He excitedly found Yang Lin and reported: "Battalion Commander, there is indeed a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Shuangnian Township. It is in a mountainous area 5 kilometers northwest of the town."
"oh?"
Yang Lin became interested and asked, "What are the details?"
"According to my reconnaissance, there shouldn't be too many Japanese soldiers inside. At most, there should be a squadron, no more than 200 people." After a pause, Ma Gan frowned slightly and continued, "However, there seems to be a group of very strange Japanese soldiers inside."
"strangeness?"
"right!"
"These devils wore special helmets and were dressed very differently from the ordinary devils. Also, they didn't seem to be holding Type 38 rifles, but submachine guns."
"Hahaha!"
The corners of Yang Lin's mouth slightly lifted, revealing a wolf-like sinister smile: "Yamamoto Special Forces, you are really here!"
Yamamoto's special forces team has more than 80 agents, all of whom graduated from the Munich Special Forces School in Germany. They have received rigorous military training, and their individual combat qualities and teamwork combat skills are impeccable.
These guys are brutal and cruel. They use all American equipment and specialize in using prisoners of war for killing training. The prisoner-of-war camp in Shuangnian Township is one of their training bases.
"Yamamoto's special forces?"
Ma Gan and Zhao Yuting both looked confused.
Yang Lin explained: "Yes, these little devils in strange clothes are members of Yamamoto's special forces.
They are well-prepared and well-trained, and yesterday they attempted a night raid to destroy the Eighth Route Army's headquarters in Daxia Bay.
Coincidentally, this elite Japanese army encountered the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment when passing through Yangcun.
There was a brief but fierce exchange of fire between the two sides. In the end, although the Yamamoto Special Forces' operation was aborted, it caused great losses to the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment, but they did not suffer any casualties. "
"The prisoner-of-war camp in Shuangnian Township is one of the secret training bases for Yamamoto's special forces."
"hiss!--"
Ma Gan and Zhao Yuting couldn't help but gasp after hearing this.
"Captain, the Yamamoto Special Forces are so powerful. Isn't it too few for us to send out only one company of troops? Moreover, we don't have any heavy weapons, not even heavy machine guns. We only have Czech light machine guns."
Yang Lin pretended to be mysterious and said: "This is just the training base of Yamamoto's special forces, not their base camp, there won't be too many Japanese agents stationed here.
Besides, who told you that I only led one company?"
